Digital Commons Network^™

Metabolomic Analysis Of Liver Tissue From The Vx2 Rabbit Model Of Secondary Liver Tumors, Rafael A. Ibarra, J. E. Dazard, Y. Sandlers, F. Rehman, R. Abbas, R. Kombu, G. F. Zhang, H. Brunengraber, Juan R. Sanabria

Surgery

Purpose. The incidence of liver neoplasms is rising in USA. The purpose of this study was to determine metabolic profiles of liver tissue during early cancer development.

Methods. We used the rabbitVX2 model of liver tumors (LT) and a control group consisting of sham animals implanted with Gelfoam into their livers (LG). After two weeks from implantation, liver tissue from lobes with and without tumor was obtained from experimental animals (LT+/LT−) as well as liver tissue from controls (LG+/LG−). Peaks obtained by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry were subjected to identification. 56 metabolites were identified and their profiles compared between groups using …

Operative Environment, Pouya Alijanipour Md, Joseph Karam Md, Adolfo Llinas Md, Kelly G. Vince Md, Charalampos Zalavras Md, Matthew Austin Md, Grant Garrigues Md, Snir Heller Md, James Huddleston Md, Brian Klatt Md, Viktor Krebs Md, Christoph Lohmann Md, Edward J. Mcpherson Md, Robert Molloy Md, Ali Oliashirazi Md, Mitchell Schwaber Md, Eoin Sheehan Md, Eric Smith Md, Robert Sterling Md, Gregory Stocks Md, Shrinand Vaidya Md

Orthopaedics

Postoperative SSIs are believed to occur via bacterial inoculation at the time of surgery or as a result of bacterial contamination of the wound via open pathways to the deep tissue layers.^1–3 The probability of SSI is reflected by interaction of parameters that can be categorized into three major groups.² The first group consists of factors related to the ability of bacteria to cause infection and include initial inoculation load and genetically determined virulence factors that are required for adherence, reproduction, toxin production, and bypassing host defense mechanisms. The second group involves those factors related to the defense …

Management Of Severe Hyponatremia: Infusion Of Hypertonic Saline And Desmopressin Or Infusion Of Vasopressin Inhibitors?, Antonios H. Tzamaloukas Md, Joseph I. Shapiro Md, Dominic S. Raj Md, Glen H. Murata Md, Deepak Malhotra Md, Phd, Robert H. Glew Phd

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Rapid correction of severe hyponatremia carries the risk of osmotic demyelination. Two recently introduced methods of correction of hyponatremia have diametrically opposite effects on aquaresis. inhibitors of vasopressin V2 receptor (vaptans) lead to the production of dilute urine, whereas infusion of desmopressin causes urinary concentration. Identification of the category of hyponatremia that will benefit from one or the other treatment is critical. In general, vaptans are effective in hyponatremias presenting with concentrated urine and, with the exception of hypovolemic hyponatremia, can be used as their primary treatment. Desmopressin is effective in hyponatremias presenting with dilute urine or developing urinary dilution …

Low Birth Weight Male Guinea Pig Offspring Display Increased Visceral Adiposity In Early Adulthood., Ousseynou Sarr, Jennifer A Thompson, Lin Zhao, Ting-Yim Lee, Timothy Regnault

Paediatrics Publications

Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI)-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) predisposes individuals to adult visceral obesity. We postulated that low birth weight (LBW) offspring, from UPI-induced IUGR pregnancies, would display a visceral adipose lipogenic molecular signature involving altered gene expression, phosphorylation status of proteins of the lipid synthesis pathway and microRNA (miR) expression profile, occurring in association with increased visceral adiposity. Normal birth weight (NBW) and LBW (obtained by uterine artery ablation) male guinea pig pups were fed a control diet from weaning to 145 days and sacrificed. Despite being lighter at birth, LBW pups displayed body weights similar to NBW offspring at …

The Role Of Pdgf C And Its Splice Variant In Breast Cancer, Alyssa Bottrell

Wayne State University Dissertations

The PDGF family consists of four members; while PDGF A and B are secreted as active dimers, PDGF C and D are secreted as latent dimers that undergo serine protease-mediated extracellular proteolytic activation. Gene expression analysis of breast cancer cell lines showed that PDGF C expression is associated with Basal B subtype breast cancer cells which have cancer stem cell-like characteristics. Furthermore, PDGF C expression is associated with triple-negative (estrogen receptor-, progesterone receptor- and HER2/neu-negative) breast cancer cells, a challenging type of breast cancer to treat. During the course of our study, we discovered a splice variant of PDGF C …

Dendrimer Based Nanotherapeutics For Ocular Drug Delivery, Siva Pramodh Kambhampati

Wayne State University Dissertations

PAMAM dendrimers are a class of well-defined, hyperbranched polymeric nanocarriers that are being investigated for ocular drug and gene delivery. Their favorable properties such as small size, multivalency and water solubility can provide significant opportunities for many biologically unstable drugs and allows potentially favorable ocular biodistribution. This work exploits hydroxyl terminated dendrimers (G4-OH) as drug/gene delivery vehicles that can target retinal microglia and pigment epithelium via systemic delivery with improved efficacy at much lower concentrations without any side effects.

Two different drugs Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) conjugated to G4-OH dendrimers showed tailorable sustained release in physiological relevant …

Population Pharmacokinetics Of Ciprofloxacin In Neonates And Young Infants Less Than 3 Months Age, Wei Zhao, Helen Hill, Chantal Le Guellec, Tim Neal, Sarah Mahoney, Stephanie Paulus, Charlotte Castellan, Behrouz Kassai, John N. Van Den Anker, Gregory L. Kearns, Mark A. Turner, Evelyne Jacqz-Aigrain

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Ciprofloxacin is used in neonates with suspected or documented Gram-negative serious infections. Currently, its use is off-label partly because of lack of pharmacokinetic studies. Within the FP7 EU project TINN (Treat Infection in NeoNates), our aim was to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in neonates and young infants <3 months of age and define the appropriate dose in order to optimize ciprofloxacin treatment in this vulnerable population. Blood samples were collected from neonates treated with ciprofloxacin and concentrations were quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using NONMEM software. The data from 60 newborn infants (postmenstrual age [PMA] range, 24.9 to 47.9 weeks) were available for population pharmacokinetic analysis. A two-compartment model with first-order elimination showed the best fit with the data. A covariate analysis identified that gestational age, postnatal age, current weight, serum creatinine concentration, and use of inotropes had a significant impact on ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics. Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated that 90% of hypothetical newborns with a PMA of <34 weeks treated with 7.5 mg/kg twice daily and 84% of newborns with a PMA ≥34 weeks and young infants receiving 12.5 mg/kg twice daily would reach the AUC/MIC target of 125, using the standard EUCAST MIC susceptibility breakpoint of 0.5 mg/liter. The associated risks of overdose for the proposed dosing regimen were <8%. The population pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin was evaluated in neonates and young infants <3 months old, and a dosing regimen was established based on simulation.

Cerebral Pressure Passivity In Newborns With Encephalopathy Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia, Rathinaswamy B. Govindan, An Nguyen Massaro, Nickie N. Andescavage, Taeun Chang, Adre J. Du Plessis

Neurology Faculty Publications

We extended our recent modification of the power spectral estimation approach to quantify spectral coherence. We tested both the standard and the modified approaches on simulated data, which showed that the modified approach was highly specific and sensitive to the coupling introduced in the simulation while the standard approach lacked these features. We also applied the modified and standard approaches to quantify the pressure passivity in 4 infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia. This was done by measuring the coupling between continuous cerebral hemoglobin differences and mean arterial blood pressure. Our results showed that the modified approach identified a lower pressure passivity …

Benzyl Isothiocyanate As An Adjuvant Chemotherapy Option For Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Mary Allison Wolf

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are natural phytochemicals produced by cruciferous vegetables. Recent evidence supports that, in addition to cancer prevention, ITCs can use various mechanisms to target malignant cells. Current therapies for cancer often provoke detrimental side effects, however clinical evidence supports that ITCs have little to no side effects in patients. Consequently, ITCs may be a promising treatment option for cancer patients, especially patients suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Despite recent improvements in cancer treatment, overall survival of advanced HNSCC has not improved in the past three decades. Metastasis and chemoresistance represent two detrimental events that greatly …

Synthesizing Data And Models For The Spread Of Mers-Cov, 2013: Key Role Of Index Cases And Hospital Transmission, Gerardo Chowell, Seth Blumberg, Lone Simonsen, Mark A. Miller, Cecile Viboud

Global Health Faculty Publications

The outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused 209 deaths and 699 laboratory-confirmed cases in the Arabian Peninsula as of June 11, 2014. Preparedness efforts are hampered by considerable uncertainty about the nature and intensity of human-to-human transmission, with previous reproduction number estimates ranging from 0.4 to 1.5. Here we synthesize epidemiological data and transmission models for the MERS-CoV outbreak during April–October 2013 to resolve uncertainties in epidemic risk, while considering the impact of observation bias. We match the progression of MERS-CoV cases in 2013 to a dynamic transmission model that incorporates community and hospital compartments, and …

Role Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Controlling Dyslipidemia, Waris Qidwai, Firdous Jahan, Kashmira Nanji

Department of Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Examining A Link Between Paraquat, Alpha-Synuclein Fibrillation And Neurodegeneration: A Review, Nikhil Ailaney

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive motor system disorder that is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system. At the molecular level, Parkinson’s disease works by decreasing the concentrations of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical messenger involved in motor messaging, within the central nervous system. Low levels of dopamine in the central nervous system causes motor system dysfunction because the insufficient levels of dopamine lead to an inability for neurons to successfully transmit motor messages. At the organismal level, Parkinson’s disease causes tremors, Bradykinesia, and rigidity. These symptoms ultimately lead to a diminished quality …

Neurostimulation For Refractory Primary Chronic Headache Disorders: A Review, Bindu Yoga, Modar Khalil, Hassan Zafar, Fayyaz Ahmed

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Headache is the commonest symptom seen in both primary and secondary care. Vast majority are primary i.e. for which no underlying cause has been detected. Tension Headaches, Migraine and Cluster Headaches are the most common primary headache disorders in the population. Although most of the primary headache disorders can be satisfactorily treated with both acute and preventive medications, those that are refractory to conventional treatment pose a great challenge to the headache physician. Moreover some patients are not able to use traditional treatment due to intolerance and co-morbidities. Neurostimulation is a treatment modality that has been used in other neurological …

Racecadotril For The Treatment Of Severe Acute Watery Diarrhoea In Children Admitted To The Kenyatta National Hospital - A Randomised Double Blinded Placebo Controlled Trial, Jaspreet Singh Gharial

Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Diarrhoeal disease is the second most common cause of death in children under 5 years of age in Kenya. Treatment with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), elemental zinc and continued feeding (as recommended by the World Health Organisation) led to a significant reduction in mortality in the 1970s and 1980s, which has slowed since then. Adjunctive treatments have however, not gained much popularity either due to modest improvements in morbidity and mortality or unacceptable adverse effect profiles. Racecadotril, an enkephalinase inhibitor, has been used for over 2 decades in parts of Europe but is only recently gaining recognition in other …

Global Analysis Of Chlorella Variabilis Nc64a Mrna Profiles During The Early Phase Of Paramecium Bursaria Chlorella Virus-1 Infection, Janet M. Rowe, Adrien Jeanniard, James R. Gurnon, Yuannan Xia, David D. Dunigan, James L. Van Etten, Guillaume Blanc

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The PBCV-1/Chlorella variabilis NC64A system is a model for studies on interactions between viruses and algae. Here we present the first global analyses of algal host transcripts during the early stages of infection, prior to virus replication. During the course of the experiment stretching over 1 hour, about a third of the host genes displayed significant changes in normalized mRNA abundance that either increased or decreased compared to uninfected levels. The population of genes with significant transcriptional changes gradually increased until stabilizing at 40 minutes post infection. Functional categories including cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, jasmonic acid biosynthesis and anaphase promoting …

Genetic Variation And Possible Mechanisms Driving The Evolution Of Worldwide Fig Mosaic Virus Isolates, Jeewan Jyot Walia, Anouk Willemsen, Eminur Elci, Kadriye Caglayan, Bryce W. Falk, Luis Rubio

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Fig mosaic virus (FMV) is a multipartite negative-sense RNA virus infecting fig trees worldwide. FMV is transmitted by vegetative propagation and grafting of plant materials, and by the eriophyid mite Aceria ficus. In this work, the genetic variation and evolutionary mechanisms shaping FMV populations were characterized. Nucleotide sequences from four genomic regions (each within the genomic RNAs 1, 2, 3, and 4) from FMV isolates from different countries were determined and analyzed. FMV genetic variation was low, as is seen for many other plant viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed some geographically distant FMV isolates which clustered together, suggesting long-distance migration. …

Turnip Crinkle Virus Coat Protein Inhibits The Basal Immune Response To Virus Invasion In Arabidopsis By Binding To The Nac Transcription Factor Tip, Teresa Donze, Feng Qu, Paul Twigg, T. Jack Morris

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) has been shown to interact with a NAC transcription factor, TIP, of Arabidopsis thaliana, via its coat protein (CP). This interaction correlates with the resistance response manifested in TCV-resistant Arabidopsis ecotype Di-17. We report that failure of a mutated CP to interact with TIP triggered the corresponding TCV mutant (R6A) to cause more severe symptoms in the TCV-susceptible ecotype Col-0. We hypothesized that TCV regulates antiviral basal immunity through TIP-CP interaction. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that the rate of accumulation of R6A was measurably slower than wild-type TCV over the course of an …

Can Prophylactic Antibiotics For Aspiration Improve Stroke Outcomes? The Pantheris Trial., Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Quratulain Shaikh

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Osteoarthritis And Articular Cartilage: Biomechanics And Novel Treatment Paradigms, Ray Marks

Publications and Research

Background: Osteoarthritis is a widespread highly painful disabling age-related disease with no known cure. Although novel strategies for ameliorating osteoarthritic damage abound, it is likely that none will be successful over time if the entire spectrum of the disease and the effects of joint biomechanics on joint tissues are not carefully considered.

Objectives: 1) To detail the structure of healthy articular cartilage, the key tissue affected by osteoarthritis. 2) To detail what aspects of cartilage damage best characterize osteoarthritis. 3) To consider the role of biomechanical factors in developing solutions to treat osteoarthritic joint damage. Methods: Literature sources from 1980 …

Obesity And Surgical Wound Healing: A Current Review, Yvonne N. Pierpont, Trish Phuong Dinh, R. Emerick Salas, Erika L. Johnson, Terry G. Wright, Martin C. Robson, Wyatt G. Payne

Surgery Faculty Publications

Objective. The correlation between obesity and deficient wound healing has long been established. This review examines the current literature on the mechanisms involved in obesity-related perioperative morbidity. Methods. A literature search was performed using Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Internet searches. Keywords used include obesity, wound healing, adipose healing, and bariatric and surgical complications. Results. Substantial evidence exists demonstrating that obesity is associated with a number of postoperative complications. Specifically in relation to wound healing, explanations include inherent anatomic features of adipose tissue, vascular insufficiencies, cellular and composition modifications, oxidative stress, alterations in immune mediators, and nutritional …

The Heart Weight–Body Weight Coefficient In Kenyans Aged 14 Years And Above, Mbayah Etabale

Master of Medicine in Anatomic Pathology

Background: The heart size has traditionally been assessed using absolute reference weights. But the heart weight (HW) has been shown to depend on one’s body size hence a better measure is the ratio of the HW to the body weight (BW) – the HW-BW coefficient. Initially noted to be 0.43% and 0.40% in males and females respectively, recent studies have shown an increase of up to 0.51%. Objective: To determine the HW-BW coefficient in Kenyans aged 14 years and above. Methods: One hundred and four deceased Kenyans aged 14 years and above, with no heart or chronic lung disease, were …

Paracrine-Rescued Lobulogenesis In Chimeric Outgrowths Comprising Progesterone-Receptor-Null Mammary Epithelium And Redirected Wild-Type Testicular Cells, Robert D. Bruno, Corinne A. Boulanger, Sonia M. Rosenfield, Lisa H. Anderson, John P. Lydon, Gilbert H. Smith

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

We have previously shown that non-mammary and tumorigenic cells can respond to the signals of the mammary niche and alter their cell fate to that of mammary epithelial progenitor cells. Here we tested the hypothesis that paracrine signals from mammary epithelial cells expressing progesterone receptor (PR) are dispensable for redirection of testicular cells, and that re-directed wild-type testicular-derived mammary cells can rescue lobulogenesis of PR-null mammary epithelium by paracrine signaling during pregnancy. We injected PR-null epithelial cells mixed with testicular cells from wild-type adult male mice into cleared fat-pads of recipient mice. The testicular cells were redirected in vivo to …

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre De Journal) December 2014, Benjamin Wachira

Family Medicine, East Africa

No abstract provided.

Exposure To Multiple Parasites Is Associated With The Prevalence Of Active Convulsive Epilepsy In Sub-Saharan Africa, Gathoni Kamuyu, Christian Bottomley, James Mageto, Brett Lowe, Patricia Wilkins, John C. Noh, Thomas B. Nutman, Anthony Ngugi, Rachael Odhiambo, Ryan Wagner, Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, Seth Owusu-Agyei, Kenneth Ae-Ngibise, Honorati Masanja, Faith Osier, Peter Odermatt, Charles Newton

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Epilepsy is common in developing countries, and it is often associated with parasitic infections. We investigated the relationship between exposure to parasitic infections, particularly multiple infections and active convulsive epilepsy (ACE), in five sites across sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods and Findings: A case-control design that matched on age and location was used. Blood samples were collected from 986 prevalent cases and 1,313 age-matched community controls and tested for presence of antibodies to Onchocerca volvulus, Toxocara canis, Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, Taenia solium and HIV. Exposure (seropositivity) to Onchocerca volvulus (OR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.52-2.58, p

Conclusion: This study investigates how …

The Role Of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I-Regulated Inducible Glucocorticoids In Sepsis, Junting Ai

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Sepsis claims over 215,000 lives in the US annually. Inducible glucocorticoids (iGC) is produced during sepsis. However, the precise effects of iGC in sepsis remain unclear due to a lack of appropriate animal models. Glucocorticoid (GC) insufficiency is associated with a marked increase in mortality and occurs in 60% of severe septic patients. Yet the conclusion of GC therapy on septic patients is still controversial.

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in the adrenal mediates the selective uptake of cholesteryl ester from lipoproteins for GC synthesis. SR-BI-/- mice completely lack iGC during sepsis and are highly susceptible to septic …

Catalog (2014-2015), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Catalogs

A snapshot of the PCOM curriculum through the decades.

Firesetting And Maltreatment, Amy L. Burnett, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

In this chapter we try to determine if a link exists between firesetting offenders and a past history of maltreatment. A literature review was performed using research from various studies and populations. Firesetting is a significant problem that affects the world's youth today. Even though there is substantial loss of property and life from juvenile firesetters, there is not a great deal of research to provide insight into early identification of those at risk. In the literature review performed, 6 of 7 studies found a link with maltreatment and firesetting behaviors. There does seem to be a correlation between the …

Let’S Play: Understanding The Role And Significance Of Digital Gaming In Old Age, Julie A. Skalsky Brown

Theses and Dissertations--Gerontology

Despite a marked increase in the use of digital games among older persons, there is insufficient research that provides insight into the gaming experiences of this population. A major demographic shift within the senior gaming market has ushered in a new perspective on the use of digital games as a tool for physical and cognitive health, and improved socialization. It is proposed that individual notions of play, which are developed over the life course, influence digital game play engagement and interaction preferences, and contribute to well-being. This study explored how self-perceptions of play over the course of the senior gamer’s …

Digest Of The Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine (Summer 2014), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Digest

The Summer 2014 issue of the Digest of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine includes the following articles:

• Message from the President
• PCOM Updates
• Development News
• Institutional Advancement: Gifting the Optimum in Simulation
• Technology for Skills Training and Competency Assessment
• Institutional Memory: Remembering Herbert Lotman, LLD (Hon.)
• Institutional Heritage: Founders’ Day 2014
• Institutional Feature: A Time of Transition
• With Gratitude . . .
• Reflection about Dr. Schure: Collegial Harmony
• Reflection about Dr. Schure: Doctoring the Doctor
• Reflection about Dr. Schure: Legacy in the South
• Reflection about Dr. Schure: Seeds Planted Are Bearing Fruit
• PCOM Welcomes Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, …

Paediatric Trauma On The Last Frontier: An 11-Year Review Of Injury Mechanisms, High-Risk Injury Patterns And Outcomes In Alaskan Children, Christopher W. Snyder, Oliver J. Muensterer, Frank Sacco, Shawn D. Safford

Surgery Faculty Publications

Background: Paediatric trauma system development in Alaska is complicated by a vast geographic coverage area, wide regional variations in environment and culture, and a lack of available published data.

Objective: To provide a detailed description of paediatric trauma mechanisms, high-risk injury patterns and outcomes in Alaska.

Design: This retrospective study included all children aged 17 years or younger in the State of Alaska Trauma Registry database admitted with traumatic injury between 2001 and 2011. Each injury record was reviewed individually and assigned a mechanism based on Centers for Disease Control E-codes. Geographic definitions were based on existing Emergency Medical Services …